A/N:

I don't own Harry Potter.

This is just for funsies, I did my best to keep to the timeline but there are quite possibly hiccups. It's a large universe. Stuff happens, ya know?

Also, for those of you who read the First Chapter, I must apologize. My formatting didn't transfer right and totally messed up some of my line breaks. I highly encourage you to give it another read. It should read better now.

Please enjoy!

Guardians and Marauders

Chapter Two:

"Tuck in!" Professor Dumbledore announced with a clap of his hands at the end of his speech. He pulled his chair in under him and enthusiastically began to tackle the food that appeared in front of him.

It was about time. Elise was starving.

"The main issue that I have with the Houses so strictly segregated is that it encourages such deep and serious rivalries between the Houses while simultaneously discouraging cooperation between differing philosophies." Elise lamented as she helped herself to a large serving of mashed potatoes.

Fellow Ravenclaw, Cynthia Clearwater, nodded her head in agreement, taking a sip of Pumpkin Juice. "It's not the best to motivate diversity but it does make Quidditch more fun. I like having a team to be loyal to and support."

Elise continued, pointedly ignoring Cynthia's comment, "Gryffindors spend all of their time with other Gryffindors. They eat, sleep, and take classes together all day and every day. They aren't allowed to eat with other students and they aren't allowed to spend time in any other House's common room. I'm just saying that It makes it incredibly difficult to make friends with people who have different personalities and opinions from your own."

"It does foster a rather closed minded attitude that doesn't allow for thought different from the status quo." Oliver Coroner, sitting across from her added.

Elise looked longingly over at Lily and Dorcas sitting at the Gryffindor table, laughing happily about... something. She shifted her gaze to the Hufflepuff table where Kim was talking some poor first year's ear off. She wished very much that she could be sitting and enjoying this meal with the three of them.

"But of course you're only saying all of this because your close friends are in different Houses than yours." Oliver observed, taking a bite of ham. "If you're lucky, like me and Jeffrey Smalls here," Oliver smacked the Ravenclaw to his left on the back unexpectedly with a grin. "it makes the House situation quite delightful. You get to spend all your time with your best friend."

Elise grumbled incoherently and took another bite of her dinner. She sighed, "I suppose you may have a point."

"Lots of people tend to date outside their Houses though, don't they?" Cynthia commented, looking at Elise.

"But not for very long. Most couples I know who stay together long term are in the same House." said Jeff, gesturing dramatically with his fork, letting bits of food fly across the table.

Elise cringed and began to wipe at the back of her hand where a small dollop of potatoes had landed with a napkin.

"You really think so? What about Susan and Alex?" Cynthia asked.

However, Elise failed to pay attention to Jeff's response because she noticed something rather odd.

Her fingers were turning blue.

She stared at the back of her hands, wiggling her fingers. While she watched, the color crept its way up her hand and spread to her forearm. "What the hell is…" but she trailed off when she looked up to find the three Ravenclaws she had been conversing with were experiencing the same phenomenon. Before her eyes their skin was turning blue and their hair a shimmering bronze. Elise looked wildly around the Great Hall to find that the rest of her fellow Ravenclaws, as well as other students at other House tables, were experiencing similar effects. The Slytherins were turning green and silver while the Hufflepuffs were turning yellow and black. When she turned to the Gryffindor table, however, she observed that they seemed to be unaffected as the table continued to enjoy their dinners.

Elise's eyes narrowed.

Those bloody idiots.

Her eyes scanned the Gryffindor table until her sights settled on the four Marauders who were sitting mere feet away from Lily and Dorcas. Sirius and Peter were snickering behind their hands, eyes lighting up with glee. James was not laughing openly but crinkles of amusement and delight surrounded his eyes and Remus looked downright disappointed as he observed the events surrounding him.

"I'm going to kill him." Elise said, her eyes locked on Sirius.

"Umm, what in Godric's name is happening to the rest of the school?" Lily asked Dorcas.

"What are you…Oh, my God would you just get a load of Elise?" Dorcas snickered.

Lily shifted her eyes to her Ravenclaw friend who was glaring daggers at the Marauders. Her hair was a bronze mess of waves and her skin practically glowed blue.

"Did you do this?!" Lily exclaimed, turning to James and trying very hard not to laugh. "You're Head Boy now, you can't do that sort of thing anymore!"

James threw his hands up in the air in surrender. "It wasn't me! I swear. I didn't even know about this!"

"It's true," Sirius defended. "our noble Head Boy here had nothing to do with the fact that… well, Simon looks like she's going to set us on fire and the rest of the school is showing more school pride than normal."

"Why is she glaring at us? She doesn't know it was us." Peter piped up.

"You really had nothing to do with this?" Lily asked James skeptically.

James shook his head and the six of them allowed their gaze to come back to Elise who was indeed looking absolutely furious. If her skin hadn't been magically dyed blue she would more likely be red in the face.

"I don't understand how she knows it was us." Sirius stated blatantly, giving her an exaggerated smile and a wink.

"Who else would it be?!" exclaimed Remus incredulously beside him.

"That is a fair point." Dorcas stated matter of factly.

"But why is she glaring at me! It could have just as easily been James!" Sirius whined.

"You'd be surprised what Elise knows." Lily said cryptically, returning to her meal.

Sirius scoffed. "Please, she wouldn't know what we were up to even if we committed it right under nose."

"I don't know…" sang Dorcas. "If there is anyone who can keep a secret it's Elise."

Remus nodded in agreement as he surveyed the chaos that was steadily ensuing. "Eyes like a hawk, that girl has."

"I'll be right back." Elise growled to her Ravenclaw acquaintances before getting up from her place at the table.

Despite the rules against sitting at another House's table, Elise strode confidently across the Hall to the places where the Marauder's sat. As she walked she collected her composure, throwing her now bronze locks over her shoulder and taking steady breaths.

"Evening, gentlemen." Elise said sweetly upon arrival. She placed one blue hand on the table, the other planted firmly on her hip and fixed her eyes on Sirius.

Sirius smirked. "What is it that you have done to your hair tonight, Simon. It's quite becoming."

"I would shut my mouth if I was you, Black."

"Wha..? Why would you say such a thing? I'm sure I don't know what you're on about."

"I know this was your doing. Turn us all back. Now, Black."

"Mmm, probably not though." Sirius responded, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Besides, I didn't do it."

Elise quickly glanced between the remaining three Marauders. James's expression, though amused, still reflected one of surprise. Peter had looked quite pleased with himself earlier but was now looking slightly regretful. And Remus, as per usual, was looking stern and disapproving of the blue and bronze sight before them all.

"You did too. You and Peter." Elise said calmly. "But not James…" Elise added quietly to herself, looking the Head Boy in the eyes before bringing her gaze back to Sirius Black. "Don't lie. It's written all over your face. Turn us back."

"But it was Wormtail. Not me." Sirius replied, offended. "And even if I could, your reaction is far too funny to put an end to."

Peter gaped at Sirius and stuttered, "N-no! It w-w-wasn't me! I d-d-didn't-"

"Although, I have no doubt that Black is the driving force behind this, Peter, I know full well what your gifts are and know that you contributed to the execution of this…" Her eyebrows rose and her arm gestured to the abnormally colored students around her. "...event. So, I would not lie to me just now, if you know what's good for you." Elise narrowed her eyes. "Understood?"

Peter shut his mouth and nodded vigorously.

"Oh, come on, Elise. It is a little funny…" Lily said, trying to sooth her.

Elise took a deep breath, standing up straight. "Oh, it'll be much funnier tomorrow, I imagine. Now if you'll excuse me. Dorcas, Lily. I'll see you later, I expect. Boys," she smiled lightly. "have a good day tomorrow." And with that she left.

Dorcas and Lily looked to Sirius and Peter, concern etched on their faces as the Gryffindors watched Elise go.

"What?!" yelped Peter.

"Oh, you boys are so screwed." Dorcas replied. "Let me know what happens if I miss it, Lily."

Elise was pacing back and forth in the Ravenclaw common room, steam practically gushing out of her ears. After meddling with some potions for an hour, or so, Cynthia, Oliver, and herself had figured out a way to speed up the fading process of the curse but Elise was still furious... and a little blue.

"I need to get that bugger back." Elise spat, eyeing her powder blue arm.

"That bugger?" Cynthia asked, bored.

"Sirius Black. I know it was him. Peter is too thick and Remus isn't much for pranks." Elise replied, finally allowing herself to plop down in a blue armchair in front of one of the many windows in Ravenclaw Tower. Looking out from her spot, she could clearly see the Black Lake and the tree line of the Forbidden Forest.

"And what about James Potter?" Jeffrey asked from his place on the floor, looking up from the book in his hands. "He usually seems to be in the thick of those sorts of things."

"I saw his face when it happened… he seemed too surprised. Whatever happened, he wasn't included in the planning."

"Is it really that big of a deal? It'll go away before morning which is better off than most of the students who couldn't figure out how to make it go away. They'll have to wait until it fades on it's own. Besides, it was funny." Jeffery pointed out, returning to his book.

Elise huffed. "Like that's the point." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"So, what are you going to do about it?" Cynthia asked with a yawn.

Elise rubbed her temples. "I don't know yet but it's going to be good."

"You could turn his skin blue." Oliver offered.

"No, no. I can't just rip off of him… I need to be better than that. It needs to be good enough to wipe that smirk off his face and render him incapable of any smart ass response." Elise replied with a wave of her hand. "Incapable of a response…" she repeated slowly, laying her head back.

She stood up suddenly and started pacing. "Incapable of a response."

"She's pacing again. Shit, she must be pissed." James said eyeing their map warily. "Sirius, I recon you had better watch your back for the next couple of days.'

Sirius laughed in response and rolled over on his bed onto his back. "I'm not scared of her."

Remus snickered. "I think you ought to be."

"Why? Because she's good with spells? She doesn't have the nerve."

"Say what you will about her, Padfoot, but there's a reason or two she wasn't selected as a prefect. You know it was her who cursed that seventh year Slytherin during our fifth year into the hospital for a week?"

Sirius rolled his eyes in response.

"Don't believe me? Why don't you go ask the girls, they're still down in the common room." Remus said taking a quick glance at the map.

"Like I could reliably believe a word they say on the subject." Sirius said. "Besides, they're friends with the enemy."

"Fine, mate. Your funeral." James said shrugging.

It was well passed midnight and Elise was still working dutifully over her cauldron. She was determined to get this potion right before morning. She stirred the concoction twice more.

"Mm, more beetle wings." She said thoughtfully to herself before adding them to the bubbling orange potion before her. The wings hissed and sizzled as they hit the surface of the potion before dissolving into the mix. It needed to continue to boil a minute or two more, but it was nearly ready. Elise smirked to herself in the dark of her room. She eyed the time but let her thoughts wander.

Idiot Black. He had no idea what was about to hit him. He and his friends thought they were the only ones who knew how to get around the school and manipulate circumstance for their own means and amusements. But they were mistaken. They had no idea how much she knew.

She peered down into her cauldron. The color and consistency was finally just right. She put out the fire and poured the completed potion into a vial. She pulled herself up from the floor, slipping the vial into a pocket in her cloak, along with her wand, and a small leather bound notebook. She eyed her roommates carefully while she snuck out of their dormitory. Keeping her footsteps quiet, she made it down the stairs and through the front door.

"It's a bit late to be out, wouldn't you say?" Said the eagle door knocker.

"I'm only going to the kitchens." Elise said over her shoulder. "I'll be back soon."

"I'll have a new riddle for you by then." The knocker replied.

"I assumed as much." Elise muttered before making her way down the stairs. The castle was pleasant at night but she wished that she was out on the grounds, enjoying the fresh air. She mentally made plans to do so next week after she caught up on sleep and became acquainted with her classes.

She crept quickly and quietly down the halls and around the corners. She kept her ears open but she heard nothing. Fortunately Filch was usually pretty loud and Mrs. Norris loved Elise enough not to tattle to her Master. Elise had almost made it to the kitchens when she heard a noise around the corner. She froze and pressed herself against the wall to avoid being seen and was listening hard.

"Prongs! You stood on my foot! Would you watch it?" A voice hissed.

"Quiet!" A different voice replied. "Can't you wait to yell at me until we are actually inside the kitchens? What if someone heard you?"

Elise snorted to herself and relaxed, stepping around the corner. "Too late." She said quitely behind them.

The two boys jumped a foot in the air. Elise walked around them, reaching up a hand toward the large painting of fruit hanging on the wall. Elise began tickling the pear in the portrait until it giggled and squirmed into the shape of a doorknob. "Excuse me, gentlemen." Elise said as she turned the knob and let herself into the kitchen.

"How did you get down here?" James said, following after her.

Elise quirked an eyebrow. "I walked."

"He means how did you get down here without getting caught." Sirius said, following the two wizards and closing the door behind him. "You have a farther walk than we do and we have perfected our methods."

Elise scoffed and sucked in her teeth, reaching for a piece of bread on the table in front of them. "I'm clever. Just because I don't have a map to tell me where people are doesn't mean I can't figure it out."

James choked on the piece of bread he had taken a bite out of and Sirius's eyes narrowed.

"How do you know about the map?" He asked stepping closer to her.

Elise tore a piece of bread from her chunk and popped it into her mouth. "Because the four of you are not as discreet as you think you are."

Sirius was about to retort when he was interrupted by a small cough coming from two feet off the floor.

"Excuse me, Masters Black and Potter and Mistress Simon. Might I help you, please?" a small voice squeaked by their knees.

"Lolly!" Elise exclaimed. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you down here in ages! I missed you!" Elise knelt down beside the house-elf, rummaging in her robes and eventually pulling the small book from the folds. "I remembered you saying you ran out of paper and brought this down for you. I tried to get it to you earlier today but the other elves said you were elsewhere."

The house-elf took the small notebook and turned it over in her hands a bright smile taking over her small face. "Thank you Mistress Simon! Lolly will cherish it always!"

Elise stood up and brushed off her robes, smiling fondly at the elf. "You're welcome."

Lolly looked up at the two speechless boys. "Would Masters Black and Potter like Feast leftovers or something else to please their appetites?"

"We'll just take some leftovers, Lolly. Whatever you can fit in here." James handed her a bag which Lolly took with a bow and scurried away, presumably to fill the bag.

The three young wizards stood in silence a moment before James spoke. "So, you know about the map." He said awkwardly, ruffling his hair. "Er, how long have you known, exactly?"

Elise sighed, of all the things she knew and this what they were concerned about? "Mmm, towards the end of last year. I saw the four of you working on it in the library. It's a rare sight to find the four of you in the library pouring over books together." She said casually.

"Fair enough." James said slowly. "So, have you told anyone?"

Elise nearly snorted. "No, Potter. I haven't told anyone anything. Nothing to worry about, Head Boy."

"Just because she hasn't doesn't mean she won't." Sirius pouted.

"Oh, unknot your wand, you big baby." Elise said to him. "I can keep a secret. Why would I tell?"

Sirius laughed loudly, making Elise cringe and knit her eyebrows.

Lolly came waddling back into the front room before he could answer, obviously weighed down with the amount of food she managed to get into the bag. She handed the bag to Sirius with a smile. "Anything else for you, Masters Potter and Black?"

The two boys thanked the house-elf and refused to take anything more from her. They turned to head out the door when Sirius paused. "We'll be paying attention to you, Simon." He tapped the map in James' hand.

Elise rolled her eyes. "The map should be the least of your worries, Black." She said menacingly.

His eyebrows rose in response. "We'll see about that."

When the door snapped shut behind them, Elise turned to Lolly and pulled the potion vial out of her robes. "Lolly, do you think you could do something for me?"